The Human Rights and Social Justice Lecture was inaugurated in 2001 and was established to provide an opportunity for members of the University and the wider community to reflect on issues of social justice that challenge Australia.

The 2013 lecture 'Harnessing the power of sport for a better world' was by Peter FitzSimons AM.

Peter FitzSimons is one of Australia's most prominent and successful media identities and social commentators. A well respected columnist for The Sydney Morning Herald and Sun-Herald, Peter speaks four languages and has an Arts degree from the University of Sydney, majoring in government and political science.

As the author of eighteen best-selling books, Peter was Australia's biggest selling non-fiction author in 2001, a feat that he duplicated in 2004, with his book on Kokoda. Peter has interviewed every Australian Prime Minister from Gough Whitlam through to Kevin Rudd.

In 2011 Peter was named a Member of the Order of Australia for service to literature as a biographer, sports journalist and commentator, and to the community through contributions to conservation, disability care, social welfare and sporting organisations.